CA1329878C - Fishnet hanging system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

Applicant: Robert W. Barclay Title: Fishnet Hanging System and Method ABSTRACT

Separate anchor members are secured at regularly spaced locations to a rope or line to which a net is to be coupled. The anchor members carry separate connectors which, in turn, are adapted to be connected to the net. The connectors can have closed loops to be threaded through a selvage portion of the net and interwoven with the loops of connectors of the adjacent anchor members.

Description

1 ~ 8 FISHNET HANGIN~ SYSTEM AND METHOD

The present invention relates to mechanism and a method for coupling a net to a cylindrical length, and particularly to mechanism for coupling at least one selvage of a fishnet to a line such as a corkline or a lead line.
Known gill nets have a top corkline consisting of a rope carrying spaced floats, a bottom lead line, usually a rope with internal weights, and a central net or web. The traditional method of I'hanginyll the net, i.e., coupling it at the top and bottom to the corkline and lead line, respectively, is by use of separate hanging cords which are threaded through the selvages of the net. The hanging cords are j ~ -tied manually to the corkline and lead line at spaced locations.
The completed setup or shackel of gill net ;
can be large. For example, for salmon fishing in the ;;
Bristol Bay area of Alaska the completed shackel can be 50 fathoms (76.2 meters) long and 5 to 10 fathoms (7.6 20 to 15.2 meters) deep. The web itself can be rolled or i folded to compact condition, but the lead line and partlcularly the corkllne are bulky.
The mesh size of the web desired depends on the ~lze and species of the flsh to be caught. Again using the example of salmon flshlng ln Bristol Bay, : '1,': ':
different webe may be deslred for reds (sockeye), plnks ~chum), silvers ~Coho) and kings ~Chlnook). Changing webs on short notlce, such as before the next tlde .. .
change, may result in a greatly lncreased catch. ;

Government regulations and storage space may ~ -limit the number of complete shackels available on board, and fishing may be condùcted in an area remote ;~
from shore storage or even from a tender where additional shackels might be kept. There also is substantial additional expense in acquiring, maintaining and storing additional shackels for the , purpose of having webs of different mesh size conveniently available, as compared to hanging ~ ;
different webs from the same corkline and lead line~
For known hanging systems, it is a complicated and time-consuming process to uncouple a web from its corkline and lead line and rehang a new !~
web. In addition, damage can occur to the corkline, ~ ~`
web or lead line even when such process is performed by an experlenced worker. Further, the time lost in changlng webs can be extremely frustrating to a fisherman, particularly considering the shorter fishing seasons that can be imposed by the government.
It is an object of the present invention to provlde novel anchor mechanism for attachment to a cyllndrical length or line, particularly a novel system for quickly and reliably coupling a fishnet or web to a ;
corkline and a lead llne.
It al~o 18 an ob~ect to provlde such a system u~lng simple and inexpenslve but durable components.
An addltlonal ob~ect is to provide such a ~ystem usable by unskllled workers but resultlng ln a unlform and rellable hanging of the web.
A further ob~ect i~ to provide such a system allowing the web to be uncoupled from the corkline and lead line quickly and easily. -'; '"', ~ ".

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Another object is to provide such a system which does not result in damage to the reusable components of the fishnet setup or shackel when the web is uncoupled.
Still another object is to provide such a -system adaptable for fishing in heavy seas for compact storage without tangling. ; ~ -The foregoing objects can be accomplished in a net assembly including a cylindrical length, a net and means for coupling the cylindrical length to the net, the improvement comprising the coupling means including several separate anchor collars encircling ;;
and closely embracing the cylindrical length for rigidly a~fixing the anehor eollars to the cylindrical length at fixed locations spaeed lengthwise of the eylindrieal length and several separate connector6, one for eaeh o~ said anehor eollars, eaeh of said separate eonneetor~ ineluding at least one closed flexible loop extending from the assoeiated anehor collar, said ;~
20 ~lexible loops being threaded through the net and being ~ -interwoven to form a ehain of loops to couple the net to the eylindrieal length. ;;
i Other aspeets o~ the ~oregoing ob~eets ean be ¦ aeeomplished by providing the method o~ eoupling a net to a length o~ line whieh eomprise~ seeuring to the line length a multiplieity o~ separate anehor eollars eneireling and elo~ely embraeing the eylindrieal length ~or rigidly a~fixing the anehor eollars in positions . . .
~paeed lengthwise o~ the line length, eaeh o~ sueh eollar~ ineluding at leaet one elosed loop o~ ~lexible line extending there~rom, threading the flexible line loops through the selvage portion of the net, and :~

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- 1329~

interweaving the flexible line loops of adjacent anchor members to form a chain of loops for coupling the net to the line length.
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention:

.
Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic, fragmentary, top perspective of a fishnet hanging system in accordance with the present invention, including an anchor member, a strap for clamping tha -10 anchor member to a line and a plug or swivel connector -;
: . ,: . : . .' ' :
unit with loop6 for replacing the traditional separate ~ .
.:. .: . . .
hanging cord; Figure 2 is a central vertical section :
through the anchor member and connector unit of the ~.:
embodiment shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a ~' corresponding vertical section illustrating a 61ightly modi~ied anchor member and clamping strap or ~taple;
Figure 4 is a fragmentary top perspective illu~trating attachment of a net to a line by u~e o~ . . .
component~ in accordance with Figures 1 and 27 and :
:
20 Figure 5 is a ~ragmentary side elevation illustrating ~ :

the ~ame attaching method; . .
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Figure 6 is a fragmentary top perspective .
illustrating an alternative manner of attachment of a net to a line by use of further modified components in accordance with the present invention; ~ :
Figure 7 is a somewhat diagrammatic top perspective of components of another fishnet hanging system in accordance with the present invention, including an anchor member and connector unit with - .
loops; and Figure 8 is a somewhat diagrammatic, central, vertical section through the anchor member and connector unit of the embodiment shown in Figure 7 with :. ::
parts broken away;
Figure 9 is a top perspective of a modified connector unlt with loops; Figure 10 is a central vertical section of components of a fishnet hanging ... ;
system in accordance with the present invention utllizing the connector unit of Figure 9; Figure 11 is . .
an end elevation of such components, rotated about an : . . .. .
upright axis through an angle of 90 degrees relative to .. .
Figure 10, with parts broken away; and Figure 12 is a fragmentary section along line 12--12 of Figure 11;
Figure 13 ie a top perspective of components of a flshnet hanging system in accordance with the present lnventlon, includlng an anchor member and a i.
connector unlt whlch unlt ls modlfled to accommodate a :
~eparate hanglng cord; Figure 14 ls a central vertical .
sectlon through such componentq in assembled relatlonshlp; and Flgure 15 18 an end elevation of such ..
components, rotated about an upright axis through an . :
30 angle of 90 degrees relatlve to Figure 14, with parts . .
broken away;

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Figure 16 is a top perspective of still , -another fishnet hanging system in accordance with the .. .
present invention, including an anchor member and a ~
connector unit with flexible lo~ps; Figure 17 is a top ~ :
perspective of the anchor member of Figure 16 in its flat unrolled condition; Figure 18 is a side elevation ~. .
of such anchor member in such flat unrolled condition .. ~ .
with parts broken away; Figure 19 is an end elevation -~ ~
of such anchor member in its rolled or ring condition :
with parts broken away; and Figure 20 is a section along 20--20 of Figure 19;
Figure 21 is a top perspective of the : : .
connector unit used in the embodiment of Figure 16;
Figure 22 is a top plan of such connector unit; Figure .
Z3 is a side elevation of such connector unit; and . .
Figure 24 is a somewhat diagrammatic end elevation .
lllustrating how anchor member and connector components .~ ~
in accordance with Figures 15 through 22 can be used to ;.: :
couple a net to a cylindrical length;
Figure 25 ls a top perspective of components i~
of another fishnet hanging ~ystem in accordance with the present invention, including an anchor member and a connector unit attachable to the anchor member and .
adapted to receive and hold a hanging line; Figure 26 is a side elevation o$ such components with parts .
broken away; and Figure 27 ls an end elevation of such component~; , Figure 28 ls a top perspective of components ...
of another fishnet hanging ~yetem in accordance with 30 the present invention, including an anchor member ;
clamped to a line and a connector unlt of the general . .

type shown in Flgures 25 through 27 but adapted for 6 ~:
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holding another connector unit with loops; and Figure 29 is a side elevation of such components with parts broken aw~y;
. :- . -Figure 30 is a fragmentary top perspective of ~ .:
further modified components of a fishnet hanging system : , in accordance with the present invention, including an . : :~
.. :. ,: : -anchor member and a connector unit similar to the units . ~
of Figures 25 and 28; and Figure 31 is a central . . : -- .: , vertical section through the anchor member and :: ..., .:. . . , -, 10 connector unit of the embodiment of Figure 30; .. . .
Figure 32 is a somewhat diagrammatic, :. .. ; : -,. ;: . . .: . ,:, fragmentary, top perspective of components of yet~: . .. :.
. . .: . .: ., -. .
another modified fishnet hanging system in accordance .~
, !, ' ' ' , :
with the present inventlon; Figure 33 is a somewhat .. :.
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diagrammatic slde elevatlon such components of the :
~ystem illustrated in Figure 32 with parts broken away; :..... :-.
and Flgure 34 is a diagrammatic slde elevation . ;
lllustrating attachment of a net to a line by use of ..
component~ in accordance with Figures 32 and 33; . .:
Figure 35 is top perspective of components of :
another modified fishnet hanging system ln accordance ~.
with the present invention, including an anchor member : .
clamped to a line without a strap and a connector unit . ..
carried by such anchor member and having flexible : loop8; Flgure 36 is a ~ide elevation of such components :.
-: , ..... .
~ with part~ broken away; and Figure 37 i8 an end -~ elevation o~ such components with parts broken away;
: Flgure 38 is a top perspective of further ~;.
: modified components of a fishnet hanging system in ~.
, i: . . ;. .- -accordance with the present invention, including an ~ .:, .... . ..
~ anahor member clamped to a line without a strap and a ;r,~-,,:."",,;~
' ',~ " ,"' ' ., ~ ~ connector unit carried by such anchor member and having . ~

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flexible closed loops; Figure 39 is a side elevation of the modified components shown in Figure 38 with parts broken away; and Figure 40 is an end elevation of such components with parts broken away; ~ -Figure 41 is an end elevation of still further modified components of a fishnet hanging system `
in accordance with the present invention, including an anchor member of the same general type as the anchor members of Figures 35 and 38;
Figure 42 is an enlarged detail section of ~
adjacent ends of an anchor member of the type shown in ~ ;
Figures 35, 38 and 41 fitted in a separate clip; and Figure 43 iB an enlarged detail section of modified ~ ;
adjacent end portions of an anchor member of the ~ ;
general type shown in Figures 35, 38 and 41. ~ ;
The fishnet hanging system in accordance with ~ ;
the present invention i~ used to couple a net or web to a cyllndrical length. Usually the cylindrical length will be a rope or line such a~ a conventional top 20 corkline or a conventional bottom lead line of a ;
flshnet assembly. In general, the improved hanging sy~tem lnclude~ ~eparate anchor members secured to the cyllndrlcal length or line at, preferably, uniformly epaced locations and connector units which can be coupled to the net and whlch, in turn, are carried by ;
or coupled to the anchor members. 'r~
In the embodlment ~hown in Figures 1 and 2, each anchor member le a generally spherlcal block 1 of ; ;
.:.: ....: .
- rlgld plaetic materlal. The block ha~ a central 30 upright through bore 2 and an arcuate, preferably ~ ;

semicyllndrlcal, horlzontally extendlng notch or cutout 3 at ite top for receiving the cylindrical length or ;':. . '. ' :' 8 ~.
,.... . .. . .

~ 3 ~ 9 8 7 ~

line L to which such member or block 1 is to be connected. The anchor member has through slots 4 and 5 at opposite sides of its central bore 2 and the top .. .. .
cutout 3. ~he bottom end portion of the slot 4 at one side is larger than its top portion for receiving the -~ -enlarged head 6 of a plastic cable tie havinq a long flexible tail 7 with ratchet teeth 8 on one of its flat -surfaces. As seen in Figure 2, the slot 5 at the other -side is of substantially uniform cross section, but a 10 ratchet finger or pawl 9 integral with the remainder of ;
the anchor member projects downward and outward from ;
the inner wall of slot 5.
To secure the anchor block 1 to the line L, the cable tie tail 7 is threaded upward through slot 4 and iB wrapped over the top oi the line, and then i~
inserted downward through slot 5 to the position shown in Figure 2. The rree end portion o~ the tail is pulled tight and its inner ratchet teeth 8 slide successively past the inner ratchet arm or pawl 9 which hAs complemental teeth at its outer end so that the tail 7 and the anchor block 1 together form a collar enclrcllng and closely embracing the line L. Wlth such tail 7 under sub~tantial tension, the tail i8 cut close to the bottom periphery o~ the anchor block 1. Because the line~ and/or the plastic cable ties are somewhat re~llient, the cut end 10 o~ the tail snaps back into the slot 5. The upper portion of the tail 7 looped over the line L, however, is retained under tension by the inner locklng o~ pawl 9 with the tie ratchet teeth 8. Preferably the tension 18 suificient to fix the collar immovably relative to the line L by partially :
embedding the anchor blocX and cable tie into the line.

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- 132~78 In the modif ied construction shown in Figure 3, a modif ied anchor member or block 1 ' can . . ~. ~ ' , ':''~ " ' ;~, ;~..-,',' . ~', .

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have a ratchet arm or pawl 9 in each of the slots 4' - - `
and 5' opposite its central bore 2, and the strap can be a flexible or semirigid or rigid U-shaped ~ie or ' -staple 7' with ratchet teeth 8 along the inner sides of its opposite upright legs. The tie or staple 7' can be ;-forced downward to clamp the anchor block 1' to its ~-line L and, preferably, embed the block and staple into the line. The embodiment of Figure 3 may be better `
adapted to attachment of the anchor blocks to a 10 cylindrical length or line by use of automatic -machinery.
The connector unit 11 used with the embodiments shown in Figures 1 through 3 has a rigid cylindrical top portion or plug 12 fitted in the central upright bore 2 of its anchor block 1 or 1' as ;~
best seen in Figures 2 and 3. The bottom end portion , -of such plug is stepped to match the stepped bottom end portion of the anchor block bore which forms the short shoulder~ 13. The connector can rotate freely relative 20 to the anchor member. ;
The cylindrical connector plug 12 has its own central bore receiving the ends of two loops 14 and 15 - ~ ~
of flexible cord or line such as heavy monofilament ;; -fishlng line. The ends of each of the closed loops can be glued ln the connector bore or sonically welded or otherwlse fused or securely attached. As best seen in Flgure 1, one of the loops, loop 14, is substantlally shorter than the other loop, loop 15. As seen in Figures 4 and 5, the loops 14 and 15 extending from the anchor block connectors can be used for securing the net or web N to the line L carrying the anchor members, thereby eliminating the need for a separate hanging ' ~'. . ' ' .
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cord. In Figure 4 the anchor block shown at the left is numbered 1L and its loops 14L and 15L, and the block shown at the right is numbered 1R and its loops 14R ~nd 15R. The corresponding blocks and their loops are correspondingly numbered in the side elevation of Figure 5. The long loop 15L from block 1L is threaded through the selvage of net N. Then the shorter loop 14R of block lR is threaded through the closed end of the longer loop 15L from the preceding block 1L. Next, the longer loop 15R is inserted through the closed end of the short adjacent loop 14R. Finally the longer loop 15R is threaded through the next loops of selvage to the next anchor block and the procedure is continued so that the long and short loops are interwoven to form ~ ~ ;
a chain of loops connecting the net N to the line L.
An advantage of the weaving procedure lllustrated in Figures 4 and 5 is that no more than a few loops 14 and 15 will unravel if any loop is ~evered. In some applications, however, it may be deslrable to speed up disconnection of the line L from the net N, in whlch case the embodiment shown in Figure 6 can be used. In that embodiment the short loops have been deleted and each long loop 15 is lnserted through the clo~ed end of the preceding loop to form a chain of loops. Cutting the last loop will quickly unravel the ¢hain to free the net N from line L.
In the embodlment shown in Figures 7 and 8, the connector unit 11' has a spherical upper portion or plug 12' from which the short and long flexible loops 14 and 15 extend. The anchor member 1" for the connector unit 11' i5 very similar to the anchor member 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2. Such anchor member 1"

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includes the through slots 4 and 5 at opposite sides of the top concave cutout 3 for receiving the line to which the anchor member is to be attached. As in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, a pawl is provided inside the slot 5 for retaining a cable tie strap 7 looped over the line to indent or partially embed the anchor member into the line.
Similar to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the modified anchor member 1" shown in Figures 7 and 8 has a central upright bore 2' opening into the concave cutout 3. The bottom end portion of bore 2' is curved - ;
gently inward to form a lip or seat 20 to retain the , spherical connector plug 12' while permitting it to swing and swivel in the bore 2'. The bottom portion of the modified connector 1" has a downward-opening groove ~ ~ `
21 extending generally parallel to the length of the ~ ~ ~
.... ... . .. .
top cutout 3. Consequently, as best seen in Figure 8, ' not only can the composite connector 11' swivel or rotate relative to the modified anchor member 1" about 20 an upright axis, it is free to rotate about a ~;
transverse horizontal axis permitting swinging of the loop~ 14 and 15 in a plane containing the axis of the ~;; `
line L. ~uch swinging movement may be particularly desirable when the net assembly is rolled on a reel or pulled over the pulley of a power block.
After securing of the modified anchor members 1" at uniformly spaced locations on the line L, a net can be connected by interweaving the loops 14 and 15 as descrlbed with reference to Figures 4 and 5.
In the modlfication shown in Figure 9, the connector unit 11" has a top portion or plug 12" from '~

which the flexlble loops 14 and 15 extend. Plug 12" is - - 1329878 : -formed of somewhat resilient plastic material with a central upright body portion 30 and downward and outward extending winqs 31 which extend from the top, substantially cylindrical portion of the connector plug, Each wing 31 has an outward-projecting tab 32 undercut at the bottom. . .~.
The connector 11" shown in Figure 9 is ~: .
intended to be used with a modified anchor member 1 "' : ~ -.
shown in Figures 10, 11 and 12. Such anchor member 1"' has the top concave cutout 3 to receive the line L and the slots 4 and 5 for the strap 7. The central bore 2" :
of anchor member 1 "' has a circular lip 20' positioned .
to engage against the undersides of the tabs 32 of the .:
connector plug 12". The connector can be secured in the anchor block 1"' by s$mply in~erting lts plug upward to wedge the wings 31 inward until the tabs 32 pass over the lip 20' whereupon the wings 31 snap outward to lock the connector in position. The connector can be removed from the block easily by . .
20 manually squeezing the wings together. As best seen in ;. ~. `
Figure 10, preferably the bottom ends of the wings are .
reces~ed lnto the anchor member 1 "' whlch can have not¢hes or grooves 33 for flngertlp access to the bottom end portlons of the wlngs. The flexlble loops 14 and 15 can be lnterwoven wlth the selvage of a net : ~ :
~ a~ prevlously descrlbed.
: ` :
As ~een ln Flgures 11 and 12, another : :
modlficatlon of the anchor member 1 "' is that the ..
I ~ ~ratchet fingers or pawls 9' are not formed integrally : 30 with the remalnder of the anchor member. Rather, such ~; `.

pawls 9' are formed as part of a separate piece 34 of .. : .
generally rectangular cross section, as seen in Figure .. :

13 -: :

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12. Such separate piece is inserted into the slot 5 of member 1 "' by fitting its opposite side margins in vertical grooves 35 until the upper end portion of piece 34 engages the abutment 36 at the top of the slot - -. . .
5. Small detent projections 37 extend from the .::
opposite edges of piece 34 to be received in correspondingly positioned recesses in the walls of the grooves 35 to retain the separate piece 34 with its pawls 9' in position while the leading end of strap 7 . , , . . ':
10 is inserted. After attachment to the line L, tension .. ~

of the strap 7 pulls the piece 34 upward against the .
,. :. ..:
abutment 36. Preferably, such tension is sufficient to :~
. ;.,:
partially embed the anchor member 1"' and strap 7' in ;

the rope or line L~
. . . :
In the embodiment shown in Figures 13 through ::
15, the anchor member 1 "' is identical to the anchor `i `
member shown and described with reference to Figures 10, 11 and 12. The connector 11 "' i8 similar to the .:
connector 11" shown in Figures 9, 10 and 11. Connector 11 "' has a substantially cylindrical upper portion with downward and outward pro;ecting wings 31 having the tabs 32 to fit over the lip 20' of the anchor member central bore 2". In the case of the embodiment of Figures 13, 14 and 15, however, the bottom end portion of the connector body 30' is formed in the shape of a hook 38 and no flexible loops are ~upplied. As seen in Flgure~ 14 and 15, prior to lnsertion of the connector 11 "', a hanging cord C threaded through the net, or a strand of the selvage of the net, can be inserted into . . :
30 the mouth of the hook. Preferably, the bottom portion ~,~!,:~, ,' of the central bore 2" of the anchor member 1"' is ~; ~
proportioned to ~ngage the hook 38 and at least . . .`

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132~878 --. . ~ ~ .. ~, .
partially close its mouth to clamp the hanging cord or selvage strand securely and prevent longitudinal ~
sliding movement of the cord or strand relative to the :
hook 38. -The embodiment of the present invention .~ ;
..... . . .
illustrated in Figures 16 through 24 uses a -substantially different type of anchor member 40 which preferably is formed of flexible plastic material in :. ~ ~
the flat condition shown in Figures 17 and 18. One end . .
10 portion of such anchor member is formed as a long . :
straight tongue 41 with teeth 42 projecting from its - .
otherwise flat top side. The other end portion of :: ;
member 40 has a long blind bore or recess 43 of .
rectangular cross section of approximately the same ; .:
size as the cross sectlon of the main body of tongue ~.
41. Member 40 can be bent or curled to the condition :: .
shown ln Figures 16, 19 and 20 by lnserting the tongue 41 lnto the bore 43. The teeth 42 lnterflt wlth cross ribs 44 formed at one slde of the recess 43 for 20 ratchetting tightening movement of the anchor member ..
around the line L, as best seen in Figures 16 and 20. ::
The anchor member 40 is proportioned so that with the tongue inserted full into the reces~, the anchor member :
i8 partlally embedded lnto the llne L and, .: .
con~equently, 1~ securely attached and wlll not move ;.
lengthwl3e of the llne.
The connector unlt 50 lntended for use wlth the modified anchor member 40 1~ be~t seen in Figures Il.
21, 22 and 23. Such connector unlt is of one-piece :. : ,. .. .
constructionl being formed of flexlble but, preferably, substantially nonre~ilient plastic material wlth a ~; :

central rectangular web 51 and integral end loops 14' .

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1 ~ 7 8 and 15' extending from such web. In use, the -rectangular web portion 51 fits in a groove 46 in the ~ -inner side of the ringlike anchor member. Preferably, the thickness of the web 51 is approximately equal to the depth of the groove 4~ so that the inner surface of the web 51 will be flush with the remainder of the inner surface of the anchor member 40. Web 51 can have outward-protruding beads 52 at its opposite ends to ~ ~
prevent sliding movement of the connector unit 50 in ~ -the groove 46 of the anchor member.
With connectors 50 fitted in anchor members 40 clamped securely and spaced uniformly lengthwise of the line L, the flexible loops 14' and 15' can be coupled to the net as previously described. More speciflcally, with reference to Figure 24 the long and ;
ehort loops 14' and 15' can be interwoven with the eelvage of the net N such that the long loop 15' from one anchor member is locked in the shorter loop 14' of the next anchor member through which the longer loop 15' of such next anchor member i8 threaded.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 25, 26 and 27, an anchor member 60 of a design qimilar to - ;
the anchor member 1 of Figures 1 and 2 is used. Such anchor member 60 has the top concave cutout 3 for i ~;
recelving the llne L and elots 4 and 5 at opposlte ~ ;
; ~idee of euch cutout for a ratchetting strap 7 looped over the llne to clamp the anchor member securely to the llne ln Slxed positlon. As llluetrated, the anchor member ha~ a central bore 2 for a savings of plaetic ~ ' "
- 30 materlal, but otherwise the bore 2 18 not functional in ~
; the embodlment of Flgures 25 through 27. ~ ;
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A circumferential groove 61 is formed in the ; - ~
bottom portion of the anchor member 60. Such groove -extends through an angle of slightly greater than 180 -degrees with a central plane coincidental with the ~;
central plane of the top cutout 3. Outward-pro~ecting ~
teeth 62 are formed toward the opposite ends of the ~ -groove 61.
The connector 65 for attachment to the anchor ;~
member 60 has a substantially semicircular outer side 10 and is sized to fit in the anchor member groove with ;
the outer surface of the connector substantially flush -with the outer surface of the anchor member. Such connector 65 has inwardly hooked ends 66 for snapping over the teeth 62 in the base of the anchor member groove 61, as seen in Figure 26, to attach the connector to the anchor member. The narrower central web 67 of the connector has an lnward-opening slot communicating with a larger hole to receive a hanging line or cord, or for receiving a strand of the net 20 selvage. ~
Alternatively, as illustrated in Figures 28 ~ ;
and 29~ the anchor member 60 and the connector ,~ "', component 65 can be used with a looped connector 50' of the same general deslgn as the connector 50 shown in ,,~?', ", ,~ ''"'' Figures 21, 22 and 23. The central rectangular web 51' of such connector 50' can be fitted over the web 67 ~7 connecting the hooked ends 66. The protruding beads 52 ; ;
llmlt lenqthwlse sliding movement of the end loops 14' , ~nd 15' which can be interwoven with the net selvage as 30 previously described. ;
In the modification illustrated ln Figures 30 , and 31, the connector 65' has the hooked ends 66 for ~;
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fitting over the teeth 62 in the base of the groove 61 of the anchor member 60. The anchor member is identical to the member shown in Figures 25 and 28 except that the central bore has been deleted.
Connector 65' has its own central upright bore 68 with a bottom lip or step 69 for retaining the rigid upper end portion or plug 12' from which flexible long and short loops 14 and 15 extend.
Still another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 32 through 34 where a modified form of anchor member or block 70 is used. !~
Such block can be connected to a line L by a tie or strap 7 as in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. ;~
Rather than providing a single, central, upright bore, however, block 70 has two side-by-side upright bores --2"' each for receivlng a plug type connector 12"'. As best seen in Figures 32 and 33, the bores and connectors are of generally complemental cross section, ~` ;
namely, substantially semicircular. Each plug has a 20 body portion 71 with a bore 72 for receiving an end of ~;s~;~
... ..
a flexible cord or line 73. A bendable tab 74 is inclined downward and outward from its body 71 and has a narrow tail 75. As a plug connector 12"' is inserted lnto it~ bore 2"', the bendable tab 74 is forced inward ;,~
by inward-projectlng, transversely spaced ramps or wedges 76 extending inward from the inner side of the bore 2"'. When the plug connector 12"' has been ;
sufficiently inserted, the tab 74 springs outward with ;;
its tall 75 received ln the space 77 between the wedges 30 76. Addltlonal inward movement of the plug connector :
12"' is prevented by a shoulder 78 formed in the bore 2"' as best seen toward the right of Figure 33. In its 18 ~ ~ ;
, 132~7C~

fully inserted position, the tail 75 of a plug :.~ -connector 12"' is recessed slightly inward into its .~:... :.:
bore 2"'. Preferably there is a small arcuate notch 79 ~.: - - -adjacent to the inner side of each bore for fingertip . ~ -access to the tab tail 75, allowing it to be pinched :.
:: ~
inward so as to permit removal of the plug connector :-12"'. As seen in Figure 34, the plug connectors can be .~
secured to the opposite ends of lines 73 which can be .`
threaded through the selvage of the net N and connected . .:.
to adjacent anchor blocks 70 for connecting the net to the line L. .. .;.
i . . : ~ . . . .
Figures 35 through 43 illustrate embodiments ;:.:.:. .:.. :
of the present invention in which anchor members are :-~
;; :, ~ .
securely attached to a line L without the use of a i;. . :.
... ..
ratchetting strap. In the form shown in Figures 35 , : :
through 37, the anchor member 80 i9 a ring of .;~
. . ... : ..... .
substantlally rigid but bendable material having opposite ends 81 3paced apart so that the anchor member ..
can be inserted over the llne L. The line is received ~..... ;
in the generally cylindrlcal recess at the center of etuch member, whereupon the opposite ends of the anchor member are brought together to the condition shown in .. :: .. :.
Figure~ 35 through 37 where the line ls indented and .. .
the anchor member i~ partially embedded in the line. :.;:.:
~he central portion of the interior of the anchor .
: member can be formed wlth a groove 82 so that the :.t -anchor member 80 can be used with a connector 50 of the ;...... :
.:; ;,:, .. .
type descrlbed with reference to Figures 21, 22 and 23. i -~
,,i:~.: :::: . .
~he rectangular central web 51 of suoh connector flts ;.:l ~ :
.
30 in the anchor member groove 82, and the beads 52 at the : ...... .
opposite end~ of such web limit ~liding of the :~.. `,.. :.: ... ;
oonnector in the groove. Ltong and short end loops 14' . . ....... :
,4' ' ' ' ., ', ', . :-19 ,, '.~

~32~78 ~`

and 15' are formed integrally with the central web 51 , and beads 52.
In the case of the anchor member 80' shown,in Figures 38t 39 and 40, a bottom circumferential groove 83 is formed in the underside of the anchor member opposite its ends 81. In the condition illustrated with the anchor member secured to the line L, the groove extends lengthwise of the line. The bottom -portion of the anchor member is formed with a bore 84 communlcating between the groove 83 and the interior of .... .
the anchor member receiving the line L. The bottom , portion of such bore forms a seat for the plug 12' of a connector 11' of the type described with reference to ~ ;
Figures 7 and 8. Such connector includes the downward~
pro~ecting short and long closed loops 14 and 15 of flexlble llne whlch can be interwoven to connect a net to the line L.
With reference to Figure 41, a similar anchor ;
member 80" crimped over the line L can be formed with a 20 bottom bore 84' having an inward-pro~ecting lip 85 to ;
catch the outward-projecting tabs of the upper plug 12" ;~' ; ;
of a connector 11" of the type deecribed with reference to Flgures 9, 10 and 11. ".,', ~-; In each of the embodlmente ehown ln Flgures 35 through 41, the anchor member 80, 80' or 80" can be Sormod o~ a etlff metal material that can be bent or ~ ;;
crimped in a pre~ to the condition lllustrated ln the ,, ;
I,,"- . .
drawinge in whlch the llne L is lndented and the anahor member ie partlally embedded in the line. Preferably, the re~ultlng narrow slot between the opposite ende of the anchor member will be fllled so as not to catch on the net. The slot can be filled with epoxy or the ..
`~
" :, ~

-" 1329~7~

opposite ends of the anchor member can be welded toqether. Another option is to cover the slot with a ;
heat-shrinkable material to eliminate any sharp edges ~-or protrusions.
With reference to Figure 42, another option ~`
is to form a special clip 90 of H cross section for ~ ;
receiving the opposite end portions of the anchor , ~` -member and thereby substantially fill and cover the .. .. ..
slot between them.
With reference to Figure 43, the opposite -ends of the anchor member also can interfit by providing a projecting tongue 87 on one end to be , .
received in a recess 88 in the other end~ ;
Still another option is to form an anchor member of the type shown in Figure~ 35 through 41 of plastic material which can be securely fastened to the line L at the desired fixed locations spaced lengthwise of the line. Each anchor member can be held in a press ;>' to crimp the line while its ends are fused or welded ` ;
together, which also will eliminate any substantial sharp-edged slot between the oppo~ite ends of the ,-anchor member. The modifications of Figures 42 and 43 can be used in connection with pla~tic anchor members ; `
~: ", ... .. .
for which the ends are to be fused together or, with ;~ re~p~ect to the cllp shown in Figure 42, fused to the ~;~

¢llp itsel~
: ','~' '" ', ' ~
,,j . . .
, !~ ~ ', ''', ' ~ :' , . ' : . ,,~,. . .
- ";.; .'~ ' ` ' '.,'', ~ . ' '. ' ~
21 ~ ~
' , .

Claims (12)

1. In a net assembly including a cylindrical length, a net and means for coupling the cylindrical length to the net, the improvement comprising the coupling means including several separate anchor collars encircling and closely embracing the cylindrical length for rigidly affixing the anchor collars to the cylindrical length at fixed locations spaced lengthwise of the cylindrical length and several separate connectors, one for each of said anchor collars, each of said separate connectors including at least one closed flexible loop extending from the associated anchor collar, said flexible loops being threaded through the net and being interwoven to form a chain of loops to couple the net to the cylindrical length.

2. In an assembly as defined in claim 1, each connector including a pair of loops extending from the associated anchor collar, one of the loops being much longer than the other of the loops, and the loops of the separate connectors being threaded through the net and interwoven to form a chain of loops for coupling the net to the cylindrical length.

3. In an assembly as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, each connector having a portion received in the associated anchor collar.

4. In an assembly as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, each connector having a portion received in and carried by the associated anchor collar.

5. In an assembly as defined in claim 2, each connector having a portion received in the associated anchor collar, each anchor collar having a bore for receiving such portion of its connector, such portion being a plug securely fastened to the anchor collar by insertion into said bore such that such plug cannot be removed by simply pulling on a loop of the associated connector.

6. In an assembly as defined in claim 5, the plugs being removable from the anchor collars by manual manipulation without structural damage to the plugs or the anchor collars.

7. In an assembly as defined in claim 2, the connector being of one-piece construction, including a central web and integral loops extending from such web.

8. In an assembly as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, the anchor collars being crimped on the cylindrical length.

9. In an assembly as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, the anchor collars being affixed to the cylindrical length by pressure.

10. In an assembly as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, the anchor collars being pressed on the cylindrical length.

11. In an assembly as defined in claim 2, each anchor collar having a groove with teeth and the connector having hooked ends for fitting over said teeth.

12. The method of coupling a net to a length of line which comprises securing to the line length a multiplicity of separate anchor collars encircling and closely embracing the cylindrical length for rigidly affixing the anchor collars in positions spaced lengthwise of the line length, each of such collars including at least one closed loop of flexible line extending therefrom, threading the flexible line loops through the selvage portion of the net, and interweaving the flexible line loops of adjacent anchor members to form a chain of loops for coupling the net to the line length.